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Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has a message for anyone thinking about starting fires deliberately in the county - ‘We’re watching you’.
In a bid to crack down on acts of arson across Kent and Medway, the service has joined the national initiative, FireStoppers, inviting local people to join in the anonymous fight against deadly fire setting.
FireStoppers encourages residents to share intelligence about people they suspect are responsible for incidents of arson, anonymously, 24/7, 365 days a year.
As part of the initiative, areas identified as arson hotspots will be honed in on by KFRS, with signage and targeted social media campaigning used to educate and deter arsonists, or those considering setting fires.
In the last five years, crews have attended 8,988 deliberate fires, involving buildings, vehicles and outdoor areas.
Colin King, Assistant Director for Customer Engagement and Safety, said:
“Not only do arsonists put their lives and the lives of others at risk, but they take firefighters away from other emergencies unnecessarily. It’s a criminal offence to start a fire deliberately, and we want arsonists to know that the fire service, together with the residents of Kent and Medway, are watching and will report them.
“By joining FireStoppers, we hope members of the public can help us to reduce the number of deliberate fire incidents, by sharing valuable information completely anonymously.
“The reporting service is available both online and over the phone and is free to use at all times of the day, all-year-round.
“Ongoing emergencies should still be reported by calling 999.”
It’s a criminal offence when someone intentionally starts a fire in order to destroy or damage something, whether that’s a building or outdoor areas such as grasslands and woodlands.
Call FireStoppers on 0800 169 5558 or report online - it’s always free and always anonymous.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service
With travel outside the UK remaining ever uncertain this half term and summer, residents in Medway and Kent are being reminded that there’s so much to discover and enjoy on our own doorsteps, including the unusual.
Alpaca trekking, glamping in a church or driving an electric go-kart around an indoor track are just some of the things on offer to add to the range of fabulous activities and events to enjoy through the summer months.
Medway Council’s #WhoKnew campaign is highlighting Medway’s hidden gems, unique attractions, independent shops, fantastic restaurants and stunning landscapes to encourage residents, and visitors, to rediscover Medway and invite friends and family to enjoy the best that Medway has to offer.
By encouraging people to stay local this summer, the aim is also to encourage people to become local heroes and show their support to local businesses that have suffered so badly through the pandemic. With the rich variety of shops and independent retailers and the superb range of cafes, bars, restaurants and pubs across Medway, there is plenty to tempt people out.
The campaign puts the spotlight on all the attractions which make Medway a unique and exciting destination to visit for both residents and tourists, whether it’s a wide range of family attractions, our thriving cultural scene, stunning natural landscapes, or the adventures on offer both on and off the water.
Medway has a rich cultural heritage and boasts historic gems including Rochester Castle, the finest and tallest Norman castle keep in the country, Rochester Cathedral, the second oldest cathedral in England, Chatham’s Historic Dockyard and Fort Amherst. Our wonderful range of museums and galleries are also places to explore and enjoy. Children and adults can even ride, drive and operate real diggers and dumpers at Diggerland as well as enjoy many play areas, and for the more adventurous, the wonderful BMX pump track in Gillingham.
With the emphasis on enjoying the great outdoors this summer, Medway’s stunning riverside walks and eight award-winning green flag parks offer space to roam, picnic and meet up with others. For those wanting to be active on two wheels, there are 80 miles of cycle routes across Medway to explore and enjoy. Whether you’re a demon road cyclist or out for a family peddle around, there are routes to suit all abilities.
An exciting alternative festival and events programme for the summer in Medway is being developed, which can be COVID-19 safe if needed. The council is teaming up with local organisations to celebrate Medway’s culture and communities, past, present and future. From the River Medway to Fort Amherst, artists, drag queens, musicians, scientists and of course, Dickens will fill Medway’s high streets and parks with colour and noise creating a brilliant summer of live and online entertainment for residents and visitors.
As well as the Estuary Festival taking place at the moment across Medway and the Thames Estuary, some fantastic events have already been announced for this summer including the most unique gaming festival the UK has ever seen, Medway Rapture Gaming and Creative Festival, which is due to be held at the Historic Dockyard Chatham on Saturday, 3rd and Sunday, 4th July. The weekend family-fun festival, which is being supported by a multitude of incredible show stakeholders, will have something for everyone - from gaming pros to novices. There will be plenty of gaming fun and interactive exhibitions for people of all ages to get involved in, including children, families and students.
The programme will shine a light on Medway’s creative spirit as it prepares to bid for UK City of Culture 2025. Becoming UK City of Culture 2025 would create a legacy of opportunities for local people and bring significant economic benefits to the area. The events also support Medway’s aspiration to become a Child-Friendly City, putting children and young people at the heart of everything it does.
More information about the events programme will be announced soon, so keep an eye out on visitmedway.org and on the council’s social media channels.
Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said:
“We are all looking forward to this summer and half term, and our newfound freedoms. There’s so much to enjoy right here on our doorsteps this year and we want people to come out and try new and different things, as well as our much-loved attractions and the fantastic hospitality venues and shops we have here. We want people to 'Do it for Medway' this summer – invite your friends and family to come and see what’s going on and to enjoy the best that Medway has to offer.”
Medway has fantastic connectivity with good motorway links and high-speed services to London.
If you’re planning on making lots of memories in Medway this summer, tag @VisitMedway in your pictures and use #WhoKnew
Thank you for one million first doses
More than one million first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have now been given across Kent and Medway.
The milestone is another important step in the fight against coronavirus and a huge achievement for the many teams who are working on the vaccination programme.
You can read more about our vaccination programme in our fortnightly vaccine update
Helping you over the May bank holiday
People across Kent and Medway are being encouraged to call NHS 111 if they need urgent medical help over the May bank holiday.
NHS 111 is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering patients support on a wide range of conditions, covering both illnesses and injuries. Help is at hand from a team of highly trained experts and if needed, an appointment can be booked at an urgent treatment centre (UTC) or even an A&E department.
For more information on help available over the bank holiday visit our website
Your GP team is here for you
Whilst data shows that face-to-face appointments with general practice (GP) teams are almost back at pre-pandemic levels, it also shows that demands are increasing rapidly.
This increase in demand, as well as the huge support practice teams continue to give to the vaccination programme, means that local practices are working harder than ever to support their patients.
You can watch a video featuring local GPs and practice teams speaking about the ways they are making sure you can access services as quickly and simply as possible.
We understand that some people experience difficulties accessing their GP surgery, and the frustrations that causes.
However, we are hearing increasing reports of people taking their frustrations out on practice staff. Abuse of any kind is not acceptable. We would ask everyone to be respectful and understanding of our NHS staff who continue to work in difficult circumstances.
Please check your surgery website for the best way to contact your local practice or visit our website for more general information on accessing GP services.
Right person, right care, first time
Over the past 12 months, nearly half of all GP practice appointments have been with the team of trained professionals working alongside GPs in surgeries.
This is part of the work taking place to make sure that you get the right care, with the right person, as quickly as possible.
For an overview of these roles, and to find out more about some of the team you might come into contact with visit our website, or see your surgery website.
NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group
It will be necessary to close Sheerness Road, Lower Halstow from Tuesday 1st June 2021 for up to 1 day.
The road will be closed between the junctions of Vicarage Lane and Basser Hill.
The alternative route is via Vicarage Lane, Wardwell Lane, Iwade Road and Basser Hill.
It is planned that the road will be closed between 09:30 hrs and 16:30 hrs.
This is to enable drainage works to be carried out by Kent County Council.
KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181
For details of roadworks see: https://one.network
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
Kent County Council has made an order to temporarily prohibit through traffic on Bull Lane, Newington from Monday 7th June 2021 for up to 1 day between the hours of 09:30 and 15:30.
The road will be closed at the junction with Playstool Road to outside number 125, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.
The alternative route for any through traffic is via Bull Lane, Old House Lane, Lower Hartlip Road, Hartlip Hill, A2 London Road, High Street and vice versa.
The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while cabling works are undertaken by Openreach.
For information regarding the closure please contact Openreach on: 0800 0232023, who will be able to assist with the scope of the works.
KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
